Various Beliefs Reader Opinions on “Does an Animal Have a Soul?”
About 7 min read
People from various religions have different points-of-view and beliefs concerning this subject. The following are feedback letters and opinions from readers of various beliefs concerning “Does an Animal Have a Soul?”:
- Which religions believe it?
- American Indian view
- Wouldn’t want it any other way
- Krsna belief in animal soul
- The opposite would be the unthinkable
- God is good to animals
- Should not kill animals
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Letters received
Following is the text of letters received.
Which religions believe it?
September 17, 2002
I read your article. I’m wondering, which religions are those that believe that all living things share one common soul. I have been considering this for some time. I would be interested in finding out what others of the same thinking have to say.
P. Swayze
Answer
Many sects of Hinduism believe in a common or universal soul.
Within Christianity, the Church of Religious Science and Unity Christian Church believe in that, although all of their members don’t.
It is a concept that isn’t so appealing, because people like to think they have a personal soul.
American Indian view
March 25, 2002
I have been approached by a few Protestant-type churches and am dismayed by their convenient position that animals have no soul. I’m an American Indian, and at one time many Christian religions said that we had no soul as we were just beasts.
I’ve read the Bible and found not one reference that said that animals did not have a soul.
Please if you know of any such references could you dirrect me to them.Maybe you could lead me to other source’s that would support my belief that all creatures have a soul and deserve respect.
Native American tribes that I come from say prayers for the game that they kill, giving thanks that they give life to us by their death.
David Norton
Answer
I’m not sure why many Christian religions believe that animals do not have souls. The Bible talks about humans having souls and being higher than animals, but that does not mean animals do not have a spiritual sense too. It is true that a couple hundred years ago many religious people also did not believe that American Indians or Negro slaves had souls either.
Those people were so self-important and they thought that they know all of God’s plans and ways. The modern version of them are just as self-centered.
Note that the religions that have such strong beliefs whether animals have souls often believe that only followers of their particular church will go to heaven and everyone else is doomed to hell. That is not to say that much of what they believe is good, I just disagree with how biased they can be.
There are Christian religions that accept the possibility that animals have souls, as well as the beliefs of other religions. They also seem open-minded to native religions.
Wouldn’t want it any other way
July 2001
Of course animals have souls. Look into their eyes deeply and you cannot miss it. My definition of soul is the God spirit or Essence of Life. Nothing can live without it. All things on Earth are made from spirit first before it can be projected as matter. Trees, rocks, water, animals including human, stars, planets – all spirited living matter. Only the arrogance of human superiority, myth and blind faith can put a veil of ignorance in front of us and make us think anything is not made of God’s love, God’s energy and God’s spirit. It is simply not possible. We are all one, from the same Source, of the same Source. Separation is a deliberate illusion for our Earth journey only.
And a heaven with only human spirits, without all sorts of vibrant animal spirits dancing its life dance, will be a boring place that I wouldn’t want to be. Since thoughts are real and physical matter is not, I will definitely think my heaven will be filled with wondrous animal spirits living in harmony and we will enjoy each other very, very much.
Pearl K. Canada
Krsna belief in animal soul
September 1997
Yes, an animal has a soul. I am a devotee of Krsna Consciousness. There is more detailed information about the soul in the Vedic Literature than any other scripture. Even in the Bible there is a Hebrew word “nephesh” which means animal soul. The soul is the living force. In this material world everything is dead matter unless this life force is there. When a machine breaks down you can repair it and it will work again but once the soul leaves the body it cant come back to life, it is just dead matter. The soul is part and parcel of Krsna (God) and since Krsna is eternal the soul is also eternal.
This is the basis of reincarnation, and the first step to self realization, we are not these bodies. The soul may transmigrate through all the 8,400,000 species of life until we take the human form.
When we get to the human form we may go up or down. If a human uses his body to harm others he may have to take animal birth to restrict his ability to act. If all we want to do is sex, by Krsna’s mercy we may take birth as a monkey where we can have sex all day uninhibited. If someone is killing animals for the pleasure of his tongue he may take birth as a mosquito where he can take birth as a mosquito where he can fill his stomach with blood and not do so much harm to others.
Some people make up this idea that animals have no soul so they can kill, torture and eat them.
The opposite would be the unthinkable
August 1997
On July 23, 1997, my mother and I lost our beloved pure white Persian cat, named Pumpkin. He was ten years old. Pumpkin was the apex of our family. He was also known as our little General, Poot, Poot-face, Bum, and at times, the little Monster. He ruled the house as would any great king would rule. Penelope, my female cat, was Pumpkin’s loyal subject. I was Pumpkin’s big buddy, and mother of course, was Pumpkin’s mom.
We miss our little beloved General. The house is so empty now without Pumpkin. We buried our little Pumpkin, with respect, in our yard. He is placed in his own coffin. We have a candle that burns nightly over Pumpkin’s grave. The bird bath sits near the foot of Pumpkin’s grave so that the birds can wash and play. Pumpkin loved life and other animals, and he enjoyed watching birds play in the bird bath. The bench sits behind Pumpkin’s grave so that mother can sit by her little foot and cry.
I often wondered too whether animals have souls. Throughout life I have observed many animals, each one having a distinct personality, each one having a unique character, and moods. I seen many animals, large and small, comfort their masters’ sorrows, and weep with their masters’ pains. Yes, I’ve concluded that animals have souls. Why do I think that way about animals you may ask? To me, to think the opposite would be the unthinkable.
Phil
God is good to animals
June 1997
If God is all good and all powerful, it seems to me that he would have to compensate animals in some way for any unmerited suffering they’ve had in their life. I have no way of proving this, but it does seem to be in accordance with what we view as God’s nature. This is an interesting topic and I enjoyed viewing your information on the web.
Michael D.
Should not kill animals
March 1997
If an animal has a soul, then we should not be taking its life. Should the animal not have a soul, then just out of respect, we should avoid killing it. No matter which way you prefer to think of the animal, in the beginning we were vegetarians by God’s request or demand. Later we were allowed to eat everything, so I must assume that we are sinless for killing and eating them. I myself like the vegetarian idea, and I hate needless suffering of anything.
A Canadian Vegetarian
In conclusion
People have diverse views on whether or not an animal possesses a soul, according to their own religious belief.
Keep an open mind
What do you think?
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
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